Celebration in North Korean capital marks 100 years since founder's birth

By the CNN Wire Staff

Updated 1:35 AM ET, Mon April 16, 2012

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Photos:North Korea displays its military might

North Korea displays its military might – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, watches a military parade in Pyongyang in honour of the 100th birthday of his grandfather, the late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. Kim Jong Un spoke before troops and citizens on Sunday as part of the massive, orchestrated celebration.

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Photos:North Korea displays its military might

North Korea displays its military might – North Korean soldiers march past the podium during the parade in Pyongyang on Sunday. Elaborate and extensive 100th anniversary celebrations of Kim Il Sung's birth have been in the works for years. Grandson Kim Jong Un is now North Korea's "supreme commander" -- a title he has recently assumed, following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il.

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Photos:North Korea displays its military might

North Korea displays its military might – A North Korean missile Taepodong class rolls through the parade. The Friday launch of a long-range rocket was part of the the celebration of Kim Il Song's birthday. The launch was deplored by the United States and many others in the international community, even when it broke apart soon after launch.

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Photos:North Korea displays its military might

North Korea displays its military might – North Korean soldiers salute during Sunday's military parade.

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Photos:North Korea displays its military might

North Korea displays its military might – North Korean soldiers stand in formation during the parade on Sunday.

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Photos:North Korea displays its military might

North Korea displays its military might – North Korean jet aircraft perform a fly-over during the parade on Sunday.

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Photos:North Korea displays its military might

North Korea displays its military might – North Korean soldiers carry a portrait of late leader Kim Jong Il on Sunday.

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Photos:North Korea displays its military might

North Korea displays its military might – A North Korean soldier salutes during the parade in Pyongyang on Sunday.

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Photos:North Korea displays its military might

North Korea displays its military might – Members of the North Korean media look out from a viewing point during the parade.

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Photos:North Korea displays its military might

North Korea displays its military might – North Korean artillery units are displayed for the thousands of spectators.

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Photos:North Korea displays its military might

North Korea displays its military might – Female members of North Korea's military march during at the parade.

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Photos:North Korea displays its military might

North Korea displays its military might – Mounted North Korean military personel take part in the parade.

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Photos:North Korea displays its military might

North Korea displays its military might – Spectators watch a fireworks display to mark 100 years since the birth of North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang on Sunday.

North Korea displays its military might – Members of a North Korean military band gather following an official ceremony at the Kim Il-Sung stadium in Pyongyang on Saturday, April 14.

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Story highlights

Kim Jong Un touts the importance of the revolution begun by his grandfather

He stresses the military's significance and vows citizens won't starve again

He spoke during a celebration in Pyongyang marking Kim Il Sung's birth 100 years earlier

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un spoke before hundreds of troops and others in Pyongyang on Sunday as part of a massive, orchestrated celebration marking 100 years since the birth of the nation's founder, his grandfather.

Kim's address was his first televised speech since assuming the country's leadership.

The remarks, which touched on a number of issues including the significance of North Korea's military, regularly stirred applause from the crowd.

"Our military has become a powerful military capable of handling any kind of modern warfare, with complete offensive and defensive tactics," Kim said. "The foreign powers are not the only ones with military supremacy anymore. And the days of their threatening and lying to us with atomic weapons is forever gone."

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"Our fellow citizens, who are the best citizens in the world, who have overcome countless struggles and hardships, it is our party's firmest resolve not to let our citizens go hungry again," he said.

Much of Kim's roughly 20-minute talk focused on the importance of the revolution spearheaded by his grandfather, saying that it was the North Korean government's responsibility to work to realize the movement's aspirations and live up to its values.

Deemed the Eternal President, Kim's grandfather -- Kim Il Sung -- was born on August 15, 1912. Some 33 years later, following North Korea's liberation from Japan, he pledged in Pyongyang to build a nation on wealth, strength and knowledge.

The grandson, Kim Jong Un, is now North Korea's "supreme commander" -- a title he has recently assumed, following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il.

Elaborate and extensive 100th anniversary celebrations of Kim Il Sung's birth have been in the works for years.

One of those milestones was the Friday launch of a long-range rocket -- a move deplored by the United States and many others in the international community, even after it prematurely broke apart and failed to escape the Earth's atmosphere.

On Sunday, state TV showed video of large blocks of North Korean troops as they marched in tight formation. Music was interspersed at times by coordinated chants, while military officials could be seen saluting from vehicles that drove past tanks lined up in the square.